Who can charge _Ebrio_ with Thirst of Wealth? See he consumes his Money, Time and Health, In drunken Frolicks which will all confound, Neglects his Farm, forgets to till his Ground, His Stock grows less that might be kept with ease; In nought but Guts and Debts he finds Encrease. In Town reels as if he'd shove down each Wall, Yet Walls must stand, poor Soul, or he must fall.

Franklin, wishing to collect into one piece all the sayings
upon the following subjects, which he had dropped in the course of
publishing the Almanacks called "Poor Richard," introduces Father
Abraham for this purpose.